Trials and Blessings Come from God

The Book of Mormon

Chapter 3

Mormon cries repentance to the Nephites.  They experience some victories but glory in their own strength.  Mormon refuses to lead them and his prayers are without faith.  He invites us to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Given the dire circumstances of our nation currently, I am feeling quite anxious as I read this part of the Book of Mormon.  We are headed for a similar demise if we don’t wake up soon and turn this around – not only as a people, but as individuals.  Maybe I’ve put that in reverse order.  We can’t turn around as a people until individuals stand up and take responsibility for what is happening to us.  We have got to embrace the teachings of Jesus Christ before this can happen. 

Mormon mentions that the Nephites “. . . boast in their own strength. . .” (v9) when they win a battle.  So too it is when people today do not recognize the Savior in their lives.  They have a success and they say it is because of their own talents and skills.  They take the credit.  They got the education.  They did the work.  Never do you hear them say the Lord has blessed them with opportunities to get an education so they could do the work.  It is a frightening thing to see this kind of boastfulness.  You pray for them, but it does get to the point where “. . . it [is] without faith, because of the hardness of their hearts.”  (v12)  So you pray that their hearts will soften and they will recognize the hand of the Lord in their lives.  What will it take?  I shudder to think!

Here I go again with the finger pointing.  How does this apply to me?  Today?  I must remember that it is because of the tremendous blessings the Lord has given me – through absolutely no credit on my own part – that I have been given opportunities to grow and learn.  If I am successful in anything, it is because of these blessings.  Conversely, I must remember that when times are tough - and they will be – it’s part of life.  All opportunities and experiences - whether they come in the form of a blessing or a loss, are for our growth.  The Lord is at the helm, guiding the ship.  I just need to do the part He’s given me.  I know this is a truth.  I have seen it too many times to deny it.  I’ve had troubled times; and it is those troubled times that have (in part) prepared me for the trials and opportunities I experience today.